What constitutes 'Dangerous Goods'?

Dangerous goods are separated into different classes which affect how you must package and transport them on the public highway, by rail, sea or by air. The legislation applicable to the transportation of dangerous goods by road is the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009, as amended (CDG), which implements into UK law the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR). Different (and often tighter) constraints are applicable to the transportation of dangerous goods by air, governed by IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR)​ .

Only persons who have received Dangerous Goods Safety Training are permitted to package dangerous goods for transport on behalf of the University.

The following class types are classified as 'dangerous goods':

Class Type of material

1	Explosive substances and articles
2.1	Flammable gas (eg butane)
2.2	Non-flammable and non-toxic gases which could cause asphyxiation (eg nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide) or oxidisers (eg oxygen)
2.3	Toxic gases (eg chlorine, phosgene)
3	Flammable liquids (eg lighter fluid, petrol)
4.1	Flammable solids, self-reactive substances and solid desensitised explosives
4.2	Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
4.3	Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
5.1	Oxidising substances
5.2	Organic peroxides
6.1	Toxic substances
6.2	Infectious substances
7	Radioactive material
8	Corrosive substances
9	Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles

In addition to the above, there are strict controls on the transportation of 'clinical waste'.

Who can consign 'dangerous goods'?

The consignor or sender is legally responsible for classifying, packaging and marking any dangerous goods to be transported. If you have not received training in this area, then you are NOT permitted to transport dangerous goods. Information on the packaging requirements for particular dangerous goods can be sought by making contact with the Health and Safety Department via SHE Assure. The Health and Safety Department have a contract in place with an external Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser. Access to the DGSA would be appropriate for Departments who do not have their own trained packers or for specific advice in relation to the transportation requirements related to a dangerous goods shipment either from or to the University, where the responsibility for shipping the goods is with the University.

A short presentation which includes a link to the latest list of approved packers can be downloaded from here